Stacie's Cruising Tips

On my last two cruises, My behavior and mannerisms seemed to attract many first-time cruisers, looking for assistance, not including the man on my last cruise, behind me in the lunch line, who voiced his concerns about my internet package lol. I decided to write a blog post, for first-timers, who cruise. I also picked up a few new things on my last cruise, I noticed others was doing. It was like, why didn't I think of this before.


Photos ( I can't figure out how to embed from Google Photos).

• Book Early. Pay it off early. Budget for any deposits. Budget for monthly payments to pay off the cruise before the deadline. Stalk the websites for good sales, such as reduced deposit or BOGO. 
• Prepay for anything you can. This includes gratuities; internet packages; drink packages; water; soda, etc. Prices go up, once you board. 
• Complete the on-board check in before you board. You can complete the form online for all your guests. 
• Don't forget your identification and sail and sign card, when leaving the ship for port days. 
• Bring a pen or highligher to highlight things, you want to do on the Fun times or other cruise material. Carnival also has the Carnival Hub, where you can favorite things, you want to do. You also can chat with others, roomed with you. You device will get notifications when it's time for the event to start. The app also has a map, if you have a tendency to get lost, like Stacie. You can also grab a paper map at customer service. 
• Bring a lanyard (and hole punch) to hold your id and sail and sign card. You can also get your card, hole punched, at customer service. You can clip your sail and sign to your keys, for example, or a lanyard. 
• Turn off your data once you board. Put your phone and other devices in airplane mode to avoid roaming charges. Even though the ship has not moved yet, it is easier to remember when you board, rather than forget later, after the ship is in international waters. 
• After you cruise, sign up for the VIFP program. You earn points with every cruise. As you level up, you earn perks. 
• Get a water package. Carnival water, for example, is the only water, you can take on and of the ship. My mama and I got two jumbo bottles of water, in the room, but we also order 12 packs of water to drink. 
• Please attend the Muster Drill. The drill will show everyone, what to do, in case of an emergency, such as how to use your life jacket and where the life boats are. 
• If you need to communicate with people, back home, get an internet package. I used Facebook, Twitter, and Marco Polo to communicate with niece (who was watching my kids) and to show a friend of mine, who never cruised before, around the ship. I also went live during a few shows to share the experience with others. I prefer the premium package to make sure everything works. I also want to stream my music and movies, at night. I watched a lot of HGTV in the room, when we was there. 
• Bring a refillable cup for drinks around the ship. If you take it off the boat, you may have to dump out contents, when returning on ship. 
• Fill out the room service card for breakfast each morning and put it your door slot stuff holder, if you want breakfast delivered versus going to lido or formal dining.
• If you want a free facial, go to the spa wellness event. They showed everyone how to use the elemis products and passed around the products, for people to use. 
• If you want a free pendant, the fun shops offer a free pendant for everyone. Prepare to wait in a long line. 
• If you want free glass of wine, attend the art auction.
• You can say no to the professional photographers. I been on multiple cruises. Sometimes I get the nice photos. Sometimes, I don't. If they are taking photos of people at dinner, you can say no. 
• You can order as many free appetizers, entrees, and desserts, for formal dinner. This is the tip, which helped many people, who sat at the table with me, on the last two cruises. If you want a melting cake and a cheese plate, feel free. 
• Go to Guys and get the fries. They are so good. You can even ask for the toppings on just the fries, versus the burger. The burger is good, but those fries.. Amazing. 
• New tip: bring along hair clips or any clips, to clip towels to chairs, to keep the towels from moving. 
• New tip: When going through the Lido deck for food, use a napkin to cover your food. It is open air and bugs are flying. I had a massive bug fly into my breakfast taco at Blue Iguana, after the server, handed me my plate. 
• New tip: Take photos of your crew members' name tag. Their salary depends on customer surveys, after the tip ends. Using their names helps them achieve recognition and a raise. 
  
  
  
  

• Cheers is worth it. I love liquor. I want coffee. I want milk shakes. If you can afford it, get it. I can't get it when Im cruising with just my mama (she does not drink. Everyone over 21, in the room, has to purchase it), but when it is me and my kids to a room, yep Cheers is worth it. 
• Faster to the fun: If you got kids, especially special needs kids. Book early. Get FTTF. It gives you priority embarkation and debarkation. You get to use the customer service line for diamond and platinum people. 
• Camp Carnival: If your kids are young enough, sign them up for Camp Carnival. My kids loved it. I have no idea what to do with Brad, now that he 18. The next family cruise with him, is undecided, unless I do Autism on the Seas, but AOTS is expensive. They offer respite though. When sign ups for camp open, go there asap. I received a phone because I am a special needs parent, so camp can communicate with me. Camp does not change diapers or dispense medication. 
• Anytime Dining: If you book early enough, you can dine anytime versus early or late dining. Great for when the kids are acting up and you can't make it to a set time. Lido is always open 24 hours for pizza, ice cream, and a few other places. 
• It is ok to ask for help when debarking. Brad has a hard time, getting off the boat, even with FTTF. The first family cruise, I was frustrated. The hallways and some elevators was blocked off for crew. I could not find my way to the gangway to save my life. I asked for help. I was put in a wheel chair, with Kalen in my lap, and rolled to the debarkation area. The next cruise, he went into meltdown mode. We was going to the debarkation area for FTTF people. Brad saw my mama and wanted to be with her. I asked for help. I was walked to the front of the line. They let me off the dang boat, without showing any form of identication because of Brad's behavior
• Cash is King. Bring cash for your spending money on boat. You can load the cash at customer service or one of the many kiosks, around the boat. If you use a credit card, there is a $100 dollar hold. It may take a few days, after you come back home, for the hold to clear. 
• You don't have to bring money on a cruise. I didn't really bring money until I started bringing the kids. My first cruise, we had $500 in room credit because our original destination was changed because of a hurricane. I prefer to build up room credit with price matching versus bringing cash or a credit card. Call your cruise line a few times a week, after you pay off the cruise, to see if prices are lower. Room credit. 
• Customs rules have changed. Attend the session for debarkation so you can know what to claim and not to claim. 
• There is clean family shows and there are adult shows. Pick your poison carefully. The last adult comedy show, I attended, was making jokes about celebrities, who committed suicide. Adult karaoke is nice though. Great to facebook live lol. There are the good singers and there are those, who know they sing bad, and will get there anyway. 
• You can never go wrong with extra undies. Anything can happen. 
• Roll your clothes. I love travel organizers for this purpose. You can hold more stuff, but don't overpack too much. You have to carry this stuff on and off, if you don't place your luggage out for staff. 
• Don't forget your soap, deodorant, diapers, wipes, mattress pads, body wash, tooth brush, medications, power strip, feminine supplies. You do not want to buy them in the shops. The ship's bathroom body wash is nice, but nothing like your own stuff. 
• Bring a power strip, not a surge protector. My last cruise, had 1 USA outlet and 1 European outlet. I have to charge phone, laptop, and kindle. My mama also had to charge her phone. 
• Charge your power banks for your devices before you board and during down times. 
• Bring along a few extra plastic bags for wet and soiled clothing. 
• Download a few movies and music to your devices , before you board, to calm down your kids, especially when it is late at night and you don't want to take them out anymore lol. 
• Don't run away with the cruise ship's stuff. Don't take the robes. Don't take the blue, Serenity towels. Don't take any towels.Leave the sheets and blankets alone.  You will be charged. The stuff is for sale online and in the fun shops. 
• If you don't like smoke, stay away from the Casino. 
• Settle your account, each night, if you have a cash account, if you went over. You don't want to be in the long line of people, removing tips, on the last night, if you are not FTTF. If you have a credit card, your card will be charged for transactions, on the boat. 
• You will hear The Theme to Titantic, multiple times, during formal dinner and other places on the boat. Get used to it lol .

• Well these are all my tips, I can think of. Share any other tips in the comments section on the blog or the social media posts. Thank you for reading. 

FlexClip Review (Pearl Mountain Technology)

I reviewed FlexClip, in exchange for honest review. FlexClip is a video editing program. It comes with pre-built templates; stock images; stock videos; and various fonts and music for your project. It also lets you log in with Facebook.

I struggled with the program, the first few times, I tried to use it. There are limited instructions, so you are on your own. To upload your own photos, there is a button, which if you click on it, says upload. There is also a world button for stock images and videos. To edit text, double click (I clicked multiple times) to get the edit text box to pull up. Two lines of text will appear. Upper text goes on top. Lower text goes on the bottom.

To drag photos and videos down, click on the photo or video, and drag it down.

I created a quick video of my kids, called #thisisautism. The text box would let me type in the hashtag, but the hashtag did not appear in the video.

I wish it connected to Google Photos or my other photo clouds to be able to pull photos and videos quicker. For the project, I had to download each photo/video from Google and upload to the story board. Also, just like any other video editing program, such as iMovie or Premiere Pro, final processing times can vary. The video, I created took a few minutes to final export.

I also had issues with my pc, not loading up the website.

You just have to play around with the fonts, music, stock choices, and your own photos/videos to create, export, and upload a final project.

You can check out the website, using the link above.

Purelis Bath Bombs Review (Tomoson)

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links

I received Purelis Bath bombs, in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. The bath bombs came in a set of 40. The set also included a pin to open up the individual wrapping.

Bath bombs are a great way, to treat myself, from time to time. As a special needs parent,  I need a break. Nothing wrong with a bath bomb; a diffuser with a light scent; and a little epsom salt, while I soak in a tub. I use bath bombs, on days, kids are at school, so I can relax more versus trying to run a long bath, after they sleep, and before I get out the tub, they are woke again.

The bombs are organic. They come in bright colors. I love the two-tone colors, such as Sugar Plum or Fruit Tart.
The scents range from lavender to detox, to monkey mix to balance. There is love and joy too. How about Sugar Plum and Euphoria? I can't wait to try all the bombs.

They are also great to give out as gifts to family and friends. I probably  give some to my mother, sister, and niece.

You can purchase the bombs, using the link above. The bath bombs are prime-eligible.

Leave them alone and let me pee

Every now and then, I have to take my two, special needs male children, who are somewhat behaved, out in public. Every now and then, I have to go potty or take Kalen to potty.

Since my kids are wanderers, I bring them into the female bathroom with me. I'm not leaving them unattended in the hallways.

Today, at church, a woman asked if Brad can stand in the hallway. A few weeks ago, at a doctors appointment, a staff woman, came into the bathroom, and asked if Brad can come out.

A few weeks ago, after church, Brad wanted to go outside to wait on my mother. I wanted to handle bathroom business first, since I had three cups of coffee. Brad refused to enter the restroom. When I exited, now he didn't want to head outside, and started a scream fest.

Security helped block off the hallway. The special needs department was called to help. I tried to bribe him with chips. I also gave him an emergency behavior pill (Thorazine). It took the special needs director's wife, with a 2nd bag of chips, to lure Brad outside. The director and his wife stood with us until my mother arrived.

Back to my point lol. Sometimes, people ask me to leave Brad in the hallway, while I handle bathroom business. Kalen is still young enough for people not to say anything. I'm like nope. Brad doesn't peep thru stalls. He doesn't hit the glass. He doesn't tear up the toilet paper or dryers. He just stands there and waits until I'm done.

Kalen, on the other hand, may play with the paper towels or soap or water.

How do you handle bathrooms, when you have children of the opposite sex, who has to come in the bathroom with you?

JZBRAIN Vacuum Sealer Review (Tomoson)

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links

I received the JZBRAIN Vacuum Sealer, in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. I wanted to review it be able to seal foods and other household goods, such as candles, I make. The sealer has a storage area for vacuum rolls, plus it comes with hose attachments, if needed.

I watched a few youtube videos on vacuum sealers. The hoses are great for vacuum seal jars and containers. I dont own any vacuum jars. I wanted this for the sealing function.

The sealer also has a built in bag cutter. Other features includes a dry/wet mode; soft vac; normal vac; and the sealing function.



The vacuum sealer did not come with vacuum bags. I bought a set of vacuum sealer bags on Amazon. using Vipon.,after the sealer arrived. The set, I bought, came with 100 bags . The instructions also discussed how to make your own vacuum sealer bags, if you don't have any.

I struggled with using the sealer at first. I could not get the bags to seal. I discovered it was a user error. After I hit seal, I need to press down on the edges to help the sealing process. The vacuum sealer does have finger symbols, on the each end, to show you where to press.  Once, I figured that out, sealing was easy to do. I tested the vacuum sealer, using fake easter eggs and bar soap. You, then can cut the bags to size, once sealing is complete.

You can purchase the vacuum sealer, using the links above. The sealer is prime-eligible.

JZBrain Laminator with Trimmer Review (Tomoson)

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links.


I received JZBrain's Laminator with Trimmer, in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. The laminator came with a trimmer to cut your sheets down to size. The max width for laminating sheets is 13 inches.



I used the laminator to make a new batch of medical identification cards for the kids to put in their backpacks. With all their issues, especially Kalen, medical id cards are needed. All of Kalen's 10 diagnoses wont fit on a traditional medical id bracelet.

The laminator warmed up quick and laminated with no issues. It comes with hot and cold warming. It also has an ABS setting. It may nor may not come with a corner rounder, according to the Amazon page. I did not receive one in my package.

The trimmer broke after the first use. It slipped out my hand and cracked on the floor. It was able to cut well with no issues.

You can purchase the laminator on Amazon, using the link above. The laminator is prime-eligible.

Ice Roller Review (Tomoson)

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links.

I received a Maange Ice Roller, in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. The roller helps relieve stress, reduce puffiness, and helps with migraines. The roller also helps minimize wrinkles and fatigue (I am tired all the time). The roller has a white handle. The actual roller is made from stainless steel.

I have used the roller on my face and neck for stress and migraines. I have also used it on my legs on a bruise to minimize redness, swelling, and pain.

To use, you place the roller in the freezer until cold (about 15 minutes). I recommend not using the roller immediately after pulling it out the freezer. The roller had an initial shock, I was not prepared for. I let it warm up for a few minutes before use.



You can purchase the roller, using the link above. The roller is prime-eligible.












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JZBRAIN Laminator Review (Tomoson)

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links.

I received JZBrain's Laminator, in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. I bought laminating paper from Amazon also, after the laminator arrived.

My inital idea for the laminator was to create makeshift medical cards for the kids, especially Kalen. All of his diagnoses will not fit on a bracelet or necklace. He has 10 diagnoses, plus the pacemaker and heart monitor. He also can't use MRIs anymore.

I wrote all of his information (diagnoses, medications, and surgeries) on a photo card with a permanent marker. I did the same with Brad and myself.  I included my contact information, in addition to my mothers, if I could not be reached.

I added a hole with a hole punch and attached a key ring. I attached the keyring to Kalen's zipper on his backpack.

The laminator worked well. It has a hot and a cold mode. The hot mode takes a few minutes to warm up. The hot mode does emit a strong odor, when warming up. I had no issues with the laminator. Worked fine.

Level up

Disclaimer: This post may contain Amazon Affiliate Links.

It happened again. Something, I didn't expect to happen again. It may become a pattern, maybe not. People have asked Brad not to come to certain places. It's not a shocker. My kids can't go to certain places, such as the zoo; parks without gates; movie theatres, but I haven't had people indirectly say, if Brad is coming or not.

A few weeks ago, Brad and Kalen had a doctor appointment for genetics. Brad's psychiatrist had requested some lab work, a few months prior, so Brad had to do his labs too. We arrived at the hospital early. I stopped by the lab first, to warn them of their favorite patient. The elevators was also running slow--15 to 20 minute wait between floor.

We head upstairs to genetics. Survive this appointment with Kalen throwing things around and jumping on the scale. Brad also started screaming and Child Life was called to calm him down.

After genetics, we headed back down to the lab and signed in. I was told that Brad may not be able to take a glucose test because he did not fast. I wasn't aware, he was supposed to fast. I fed the kids, earlier to avoid disasters in the food court. The food court is next to the lab. Brad did well in the lab, better than expected. It took about three people to calm him down plus a light up toy.

The hospital called the clinic to ask about when they wanted the glucose done. I thought I would be back at the hospital, within a few days (need two day notice for medical transportation), but the clinic said that they have a lab and they want to do the lab work. Oh joy. I scheduled the appointment and transportation. A few hours before his appointment, I got a call from someone at the clinic, asking if Brad was really coming for lab work. DUH. He missed school. His dr needs the results. He need a doctors note. He did better than expected there. It took a reeces, in my purse,  to keep him calm. The tech held the reeces in her hand as a visual to get Brad to cooperate.

He has mean mugged the tech, on our last few visits lol.

Last week (March 20),  Brad had a field trip to a field day. I found the permission slip, balled up on the floor. I misplaced it and asked for another one, after I saw a note on the classroom app, asking parents to sign and return the slips. I had a drs appointment on the 20th too. The day before, he had a major meltdown (that may be another post), and I decided not to send him to school, the next day.

But, I did get a call, the Friday before, from a teacher, asking if Brad was really coming on the field trip. I did view photos of the field trip on Twitter. Brad would have had fun, running and jumping, but he still would have liked to go, if he was behaving well. Brad should not have to stay home from every field trip because a teacher or staff member, does not want him to go because of his potential behavior. Trust me, as a parent, I run every field trip though a bunch of scenarios before signing my name off. Brad wants to go places and does not want to be left out. His mama also needs a break.

Stacie D. Wyatt/Perfect Chaos

Joel Ohman Other Bodies Book Review (FlyBy Blog Promotions)

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon affiliate links.



I read Other Bodies, in exchange for honest review from FlyBy Blog Promotions. The book was written by Joel Ohman. The book is a dystopian, YA book, to help "change people's minds about abortion."

The book, starts out well. You see Hattie, walking through the streets, going through a personal crisis. The author is descriptive when describing the sky, voices heard, and the crazy, who tries to slow her down. I felt a lot of tension in that scene because you didn't know if he was going to attack her. I was hooked in that scene.


You can purchase the book, using the link above. The book is available in kindle and paperback format. The book is also available on iBooks and Barnes and Noble.